Knowra History of Malta History of Malta The history of Malta traces settlement and political change across the Maltese islands, from prehistoric communities through successive foreign rulers to independence and the modern republic.
Ġgantija Temples : A complex of Neolithic megalithic temples on Gozo, built during the fourth millennium BCE. These temples exemplify the island’s early monumental culture before written records.
Great Siege of Malta : The 1565 Ottoman siege of Malta, resisted by the Knights Hospitaller and Maltese forces. The siege secured the Order’s position and became a defining episode in Maltese history.
Paul of Malta : The apostle Paul, whose shipwreck on Malta is described in the Acts of the Apostles. The account became a major source for Malta’s Christian origin tradition.
Malta Independence Act 1964 : The British act that provided for Malta to become an independent state in 1964. It formalized the end of British colonial rule and established a sovereign Malta.
Ħaġar Qim : A prehistoric megalithic temple complex on Malta, constructed during the fourth millennium BCE. Its architecture and finds illuminate the societies that inhabited prehistoric Malta.
French occupation of Malta : The French rule of Malta from 1798 until the island’s surrender to British forces in 1800. French reforms and resistance transformed Malta’s rulers and political outlook.
Jean Parisot de Valette : The Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller who led Malta during the Great Siege of 1565. His leadership shaped the Order’s recovery and the foundation of Valletta.
Constitution of Malta : The supreme law establishing Malta’s institutions, rights, and constitutional order. Its amendments trace Malta’s shift from a monarchy to a republic and later political reforms.
Tarxien Temples : A group of Neolithic and Copper Age temple structures in Tarxien, Malta. The site preserves evidence of ritual, art, and changing temple practices.
British rule in Malta : The period of British control over Malta, formalized as a crown colony in 1813 and ending with independence in 1964. British administration and military use shaped institutions, language, and the path to independence.
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